Wrapping Up Another Year

Just wanted everyone at home (and around the states we have all wandered off to) - know that we are thinking of you all, wishing we were together. So instead, I send you all a virtual toast to the New Year, Fabulous Friends and if we have any luck at all we will see each other again soon.

A Toast - LITERALLY!


A New Years Resolution - the past 2005 to the new 2006


And of course no such thing as alcohol abuse in this house ... the Booze Hounds send their love too!

Its only on for 24 hours...

Are you watching it?

Really?

So I had my first follow-up appt today to see how I was healing. Who knew just how many things I did not know... nor did my Dr...

Apparently I have a hiatal hernia to top off my other complications - I swear no one told me of this. I know there were a few hours of confusion - but not once was I told of this. She asked how my stiches were and I was like "what stiches"? She had asked if I had raised the head of my bed and I was like "for what"? She asked when my appt was with my surgeon and I was like "dont think I have one". She asked how the pain was and I was like "fine - as long Im not breathing".

She sent me home - with a new RX - Oxi-cot-something or other... ;)

FOOLS!

So far Im not impressed, maybe I'll try and kick it up with some fancy eggnog.

And just cuz Im in a sharin mood - and happen to be sitting next to this camera - and cuz I happen to be on the "stuff"....

Im working on a Santa Belly full of Jelly!

Missing Organ

Dear Gallbladder,

It has only been one and a half days that you have been gone and I have to say I don't miss you so much but apparently the other organs that were you neighbors do. There is a strange void and even stranger pressure rumbling around my insides. I understand it was your intention to give me many precious little stones for Christmas but Im afraid my doctor wished you be kicked to the curb instead. Im not sure why there was this misunderstanding - most girls would love this sort of gift but I was unaware of the pain is would cause. Im a little hurt that you would put me through such heartache at this time of year - was it really necessary for you to mess with my poor liver the way you did? You know Im hard enough on that little guy. And then there were all the other awful tests I had to endure ... why would you make them think I had a blood clot? And where the cat scans, x rays and ultrasounds your way of getting back at me? Im not even sure what is was that I did to you? They kept me in the hospital for 3 days damn it! There was no need for that... I wish you the best in whatever toxic dump you end up in... as for me I will continue to take these stupid narcotics they gave me to forget you, but lets be honest the scars will never let me forget you completely.

For those of you that are sick and twisted enough to want and see what they did to me (as all my friends would), here is a pic:

I was lucky enough to avoid the open procedure so the recovery shouldn't be so bad - thank goodness - this means I still get to hold on to my claim of never having stitches. The whole ordeal has been very strange. I woke up one night week before last with an awful pain in the center of my chest right under my ribs - I couldn't get a breath to save my life and the pain was unreal. I stood in my room for about an hour or so until I could relax enough to lay back down and go back to sleep. The next day I had these little spasms all day and felt a little sick to my stomach, I don't think I would have ever though anything of it if I hadn't had my first doctors appt the day after. My insurance had just started on the 1st of December and I just wanted to establish a regular doctor since I hadn't had one since we've moved here. The timing was quite unbelievable. The new Dr ordered a ultrasound a couple days later and when the tech started taking pictures you could see in her face that she couldn't believe I had not had an "episode" before ... I didn't have one, two or even seven... apparently I had stones that lines my whole gallbadder. I was told that I would likely need surgery but should wait for more tests to come back. Almost one week later (this last Wednesday) I woke up about the same time with the same pain only it lasted longer and I had to go to work. I went by the Dr office on my way home and she sent me over to the hospital for a chest xray and blood work since I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I left the hospital and came home and feel asleep. I guess I heard the phone ring a couple times and finally got up to see who it was - they had already had me checked in and a room waiting for me. The panicky messages were kinda funny now that it is over. I guess my tests came back really abnormal (isnt that weird for me? - NOT) and they showed I had a blood clot and my liver levels were all over the place. So I went back to the hospital where they were waiting for me with plenty of tests and no one to tell me what was going on. It took 5 sticks just to get my IV in ... bastards. I think those bruises are the worst.

Needless to say - its all over - my gallbladder is gone. I feel like Ive been hit by a truck and Im out of work through Christmas (which would normally be cool had I had anywhere to go!). They gave me some crazy drugs that make me pretty dumb but Im here so I guess its all good.

I wonder what I can do to myself next... esperiments esperiments....

Signs of the Season

Every year there are only certain things that always remind me of this special time of year, here are some of my favorites.

The perfectly UNtinsled tree...

The torturing of all creatures big and small...

And of course there is the SIGN that puts it all in perspective...

Missing you all this Christmas.

Innocence

We have a thief in the house... he's not the normal kind, he doesnt still things like jewels or anything truely vauluable - but he does have a way of making his point.

I found this in the backyard yesterday - its a paint swatch for one of the colors I was thinking of using in the kitchen.


Makes you wonder if he's as mentally chanllenged as I think he is ...

THE HOUSE

For those of you that cant seem to WAIT to see it... here it is... the "before" photos - enjoy.

The front - aint it purty!

The Kitchen... (did we mention the previous owners refused a redecorating fee???)

More reason to remove wallpaper... (your eyes are not messing with you)

And then there was the dining area (can you say acid trip?)

Things that dont suck, like the great wood burning fireplace with wonderful bookcases for all of the great novels no one in our house will ever read (but damn pretty none the less).

(Im guessing whomever tool this photo didnt realize there was a girl getting felt-up on TV)

A door from the living room leads to the amazing sunporch - one of the only rooms that doesnt need paint and a favorite part of the house...

Did I mention that we REALLy like this room?

I have no idea why we have no pictures of the backyard (which p.s. ROCKS) but Im sure we will soon - I do know why there are no pictures of anything upstairs = because we are too freakin lazy to take the camera up there... the only reason we have these is because Mo (Wen's sis-in-law took them)... there has been updates so I promise more photos to come. Hope this makes you all happy - now come freakin visit and bring your workin clothes!

XOXOX - V, W, G and J